Appearance and Character

In his youth, Jon's hair and beard were fiery red.[11] Nearing forty, Jon is clean shaven with a lined, leathery face.[11][12] He has crow's feet at the corners of his pale, blue eyes.[12][13] When disguised as "Griff", he has dyed his hair blue, though his eyebrows are still red, and his red roots are still showing.[12][13] By now, his hair has turned grey,[11] though his beard is still mostly red, with here and there ash showing.[7] Whilst pretending to be the sellsword "Griff", he prefers to wear a red wolf-skin cloak.[11][12][13][14]

In his youth Jon was described as proud, bold, energetic, reckless, and thirsty for glory. He was ever a capable warrior and commander. His years spent in exile have made him more cautious, more seasoned, and, according to Kevan Lannister, more dangerous.[9]Tyrion Lannister considers Jon to be dangerous as well, and to be without humor.[13] Even though Griffin's Roost is sworn to Storm's End, Jon had chafed at serving under a lord like Robert Baratheon.[4]

Robert's Rebellion

During Robert's Rebellion, King Aerys II Targaryen decided to dismiss his Hand of the King, Lord Owen Merryweather, believing him to be too ineffectual, even suspecting foul play in favor of the rebels on his part.[18] To match Robert Baratheon, one of the leaders of the rebellion, Aerys wanted someone young and vigorous as his next Hand, and named Jon to the office.[19][9] When word of the king’s choice reached Lord Tywin Lannister, a former Hand of the King, Tywin declared that the Handship had come to soon for Jon, believing him too be too young, too bold and too eager for glory.[9]

Jon promised King Aerys that he would deliver him the head of Robert Baratheon,[9] and personally led an army into the field. After the Battle of Ashford, Jon took over the pursuit of Robert from the Tyrell army. In the Riverlands, near the town of Stoney Sept, he caught up with Robert, who had been hiding in the town. Jon's soldiers began a house-to-house search after failing to find him, but they did not locate Robert before his rebel allies arrived at Stoney Sept to oust Jon and his forces. At this point the Battle of the Bells began. The rebel army under the joint command of Lords Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn and Hoster Tully immediately began attacking the royal army. Jon fought back fiercely, personally killing Jon Arryn's nephew and heir, Denys Arryn, and wounding Lord Hoster Tully.[20] When Jon saw that the battle was lost, he managed to escape and was able to retreat in good order.[20]

When he later reflected on his search for Robert, during his first year in exile, Jon claimed that even Tywin Lannister himself could not have done better. His friend Myles Toyne, however, argued that Tywin would not have bothered with a search, but would have burned the town and everyone in it. Jon realized that Myles was right, but admitted to himself that, because he had wanted the glory of killing Robert personally, and had not wanted to be branded a murderer, he chose the more honorable course of action.[7]

King Aerys II held Jon responsible for his defeat at the Battle of the Bells and exiled him, stripping him of his titles, passing the rule of Griffin's Roost over to Ser Ronald Connington, who had been Jon's castellan. After the war, the new King Robert I Baratheon took nine-tenths of the Connington lands, distributing them to more fervent supporters. He also took away the lordship from House Connington, making it a knightly house.[7][10] Once on the Iron Throne Robert was not willing to recall Lord Jon from exile, since he had been among Prince Rhaegar's closest friends.[21]

Exile

Now exiled, knowing little else to do, Jon joined the Golden Company.[6][11] He served with the company for five years, rising quickly in the ranks to a place of honor at the right hand of Myles Toyne, the captain-general. Jon believes that, had his exile gone otherwise, he might have been the successor to Myles instead of Harry Strickland.[11]

After a few short years in the Company, both Jon and Myles Toyne were approached by Illyrio Mopatis and Varys, who informed them that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's infant son, Aegon, had survived the Sack of King's Landing during Robert's Rebellion.[6] In order to remove Jon from the Golden Company, they concocted a plan, of which the remainder of the Golden Company was left unaware, so they would not be able to let anything slip. Jon was kicked out of the Golden Company after being caught stealing from the company's war chests. Afterwards, news was spread that Jon had died, having drank himself to death in Lys. The shame of the lie caused considerable resentment on Jon’s end, but Varys insisted the lie was necessary, stating that gallant exiles are long remembered, whereas thieves and drunks are soon forgotten.[11]

While Jon went along with Varys's scheme for Prince Aegon's sake, he never liked it, believing it to be a dishonorable slight. Varys, however, was adamant about the need for secrecy.[11] The rumors of his disgrace and death eventually reached Westeros and successfully convinced everyone that he was dead,[22][23] enabling him to focus on raising and protecting "Young Griff" in the guise of his father, "Griff", during the past twelve years.[11]

While the Shy Maid journey's down the Rhoyne, Jon forbids Tyrion from drinking wine after the latter becomes drunk during one of his first night on the ship, and orders him to write down everything he still recalls from his extensive reading about dragons.[13] When they reach the Sorrows, home to the stone men, Jon orders "Young Griff" to go below deck, where he will be safe, but the boy protests. Tyrion Lannister reveals that he is aware of Jon's true identity, and informs him that he should be lucky that Varys is part of their conspiracy, as the name "Griff" would never have fooled the spymaster.[1] Tyrion also reveals that he is aware of the true identity of "Young Griff". When the stone men attack the company on the boat, Jon rescues Lannister when the latter is knocked into the water.[1][14] It is later revealed that Jon has contracted greyscale by rescuing Tyrion, which he keeps a secret from everyone else, knowing he'll be left to die if his secret is discovered.[11]

The company soon reaches Selhorys, and Jon sends Haldon with Tyrion into the city to learn the truth about the rumors claiming that Daenerys Targaryen has still not yet left Meereen.[14] Despite the fact that these rumors are confirmed to be true, Jon decides to continue their journey to Volon Therys, where the Golden Company is currently stationed.[11] Jon presents the young Prince to the Golden Company and reveals the boy's true identity, but to his dismay, none of the highest-ranking officers are surprised, and Jon realises Harry Strickland, the commander of the Golden Company, had already revealed the secret to them earlier. The officers of the Golden Company are in dismay about the fact that Daenerys Targaryen continues to stay at Meereen, and voice their opinions on the constantly changing plans of Illyrio Mopatis. It is Prince Aegon who eventually suggests they go to Westeros themselves, where they will begin their rebellion, reasoning that, once Daenerys learns of their purpose, she will come west and join them. Aegon's proposal is met with great enthusiasm, and Jon later reflects on his satisfaction with the plan, impressed with the side Aegon showed that day. As the greyscale he has contracted is beginning to spread across his hand, Jon hopes he will live long enough to seat Aegon on the Iron Throne.[11] Additionally, Jon is still plagued by guilt over the outcome of the Battle of the Bells and hears the tolling of the bells every time he closes his eyes. He knows that with greyscale his death is coming for him, and believes that if he can achieve seating Aegon on the throne, the bells will finally stop tolling and he can die content in his home of Griffin's Roost.[11]

The journey of the Golden Company to Westeros is difficult, due to the autumn storms. The ships are scattered, and the Volantene have dropped them off on multiple different locations, leaving them with a smaller host. Despite this, Jon leads a group of men to conquer Griffin's Roost, his own former seat, which they do successfully. Once in the castle, Jon reminisces over the time Rhaegar Targaryen visited Griffin's Roost, and reflects on how he was unable to stopRobert Baratheon, how Aerys II Targaryen exiled him, and how his lands were mostly taken away by Robert. Jon is glad that his cousin Ronald, who had received rule over Griffin's Roost after Jon's exile, is dead, as it means he will not have to fight him, as well as that Ronald's son Ronnet is away. Jon has his remaining family members taken into custody, and tells Haldon to prepare a letter to Prince Doran Martell of Dorne, telling him his sister's son is still alive, stating that gaining the support from the Prince of Dorne is essential. When Haldon discusses rewards to hand out to lords in order to convince them to join Prince Aegon's cause, Jon refuses to marry Aegon off, insisting he must be free to marry Daenerys once she returns to Westeros. He also refuses to present himself as a marriage candidate, for fear of having his greyscale become known.[7]

When Prince Aegon arrives four days later, Jon recalls how he had disagreed with Aegon's decision to name Rolly to the Kingsguard, as he hoped to fill the Kingsguard with younger sons of important lords to bind them to their cause. Jon informs the prince that they are planning to take Storm's End in ten days, having previously refused the suggestion of making an alliance with Stannis Baratheon. Aegon agrees with Jon's plan, but demands he leads the troups himself.[7]

Jon wishes to let the Iron Throne believe that the invading force is simply an exiled Lord attempting to retake his old seat, and even plans to write the King to ask for a pardon to support the ruse.[7] News of Jon arrive in King's Landing not too much later (though news of Aegon has reached them as well), and Jon's cousin Ronnet Connington is intent on retaking his seat, though the small council is in doubt about his loyalty. Kevan Lannister, recalling Jon from the past, realises that he could be a dangerous threat.[9]

What victories has he ever won that we should fear him? He could have ended Robert's Rebellion at Stoney Sept. He failed. Just as the Golden Company has always failed. Some may rush to join them, aye. The realm is well rid of such fools.[9]